Rangers Prepare for Europa League Clash with Sporting Braga
Europa League: Rangers vs. Sporting Braga
Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow Date: Thursday, 27 November Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Available on BBC Radio Scotland FM & Sounds, with live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl expressed his disappointment over the recent departures of sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart, stating, "It's never pleasant when colleagues are let go." The club announced their exits on Tuesday, with Thelwell leaving after five months and Stewart after twelve.
Both executives were involved in the hiring of Rohl's predecessor, Russell Martin, who was dismissed in early October after 17 matches in charge. As Rangers prepare to face Sporting Braga at home in their Europa League fixture, Rohl revealed he had a discussion with chairman Andrew Cavenagh about the current situation and the club's future direction.
"For me, the focus is now on the upcoming matches and the processes ahead, especially with the January transfer window just over five weeks away," Rohl noted. "Everyone is looking for impactful changes for the second half of the season. We had some exciting signings in the summer, but we need to elevate their performances. It’s up to my coaching staff and me to help them regain their form and deliver results. I will communicate my insights to the board regarding the squad and areas that require improvement."
Fraser Thornton will serve as interim chief executive until Thelwell and Stewart's positions are filled. Rohl added, "It's always hard when people you have a good working relationship with are dismissed. I had a solid rapport with Kevin, and we communicated daily. Both he and Patrick played significant roles in the club's development during my arrival. However, football is about looking forward, not back, and we must adapt to the current situation and move on."
Rangers are still seeking their first point in this season's Europa League, having lost all four of their matches, while Braga sits comfortably with nine points, including a victory against Celtic. "Braga is a well-organized team that plays aggressively and has effective strategies both defensively and offensively," Rohl stated. "They will arrive with confidence, but this presents a new challenge for us, and we need to secure points in this competition. I expect to see a progression from my team following our previous two European games. At this level, every mistake can be costly, so we must play proactively, engaging our supporters and taking the initiative rather than being passive. I want to see a strong effort from my players to earn points tomorrow."
Team News
Rangers' Derek Cornelius underwent surgery on Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined until at least the end of January. Fellow defender John Souttar and forward Mikey Moore also remain unavailable, while Dujon Sterling has been added to the European squad but is likely to feature in future matches following a lengthy absence.
Braga's Historic Opportunity in Glasgow
Braga arrives in Glasgow with the chance to become the first team to defeat both Celtic and Rangers away from home in the same European campaign. They have performed well since their last visit to Scotland, although they suffered a surprising 4-3 defeat at home to Genk in their last Europa League match, marking their first dropped points in the competition. They have previously secured victories against Celtic and Feyenoord and currently sit fifth in the standings.
Despite their recent success, Braga is struggling in their domestic league, currently positioned seventh, below teams such as Gil Vicente, Famalicao, and Moreirense. However, they demonstrated their capabilities with a 2-0 win over Celtic, showcasing the talents of Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar, who has scored ten goals this season. Rangers will need to elevate their performance to secure a win against the Portuguese side.
Match Statistics
Rangers have won four and lost one of their last six matches, but they have lost all four of their Europa League games, the latest being a 2-0 defeat at home to Roma.
Braga has won five of their last seven matches, losing the other two, including their recent Europa League match against Genk.
This defeat was Braga's first in the Europa League this season, with three wins placing them fifth in the table, while Rangers sit at the bottom.
Rangers have a historical advantage over Braga, winning three and losing one of their four encounters, including a 3-1 victory during Braga's last visit in April 2022.
Rangers have won 11 and lost five of their 24 matches against Portuguese teams, with their most recent encounter resulting in a 1-0 defeat to Benfica in March 2024.
Braga has won three and lost five of their nine matches against Scottish teams, achieving their first victory on Scottish soil against Celtic earlier this season.